Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

A Tale of Two Days

September 29, 2024

We could also call this making lemonade out of lemons. Or we could say I just offered up all the crap yesterday and God made a way for me today through that. No matter – it worked out. I just have to remember that for every ounce of good around here there seems to be a pound of bad and I need to remember how to deal with it. Here’s the lowdown.

Day 1 – Washer is broken so I took one of my daughters with me to the laundromat to do her clothes so she could see how all that works. Everything was fine until one of the machines gave up the ghost and decided to not work. Then we almost couldn’t get the door opened. So I called the number of the laundromat owner and left a message. We finally got the washer door opened but there was a LOT of water in it so my daughter had to wring out each piece of clothing before hauling it home. I texted the owner saying we got the clothes out and I left a note on the machine to let others know it wasn’t working. Which was probably obvious by the amount of water in it. :P

We came home and spun out the water (OK our washer does work but there is a broken part on it that makes a horrible grinding noise when running a load) and then dried everything. While we were at the laundromat though I had told the tale of our 3 washers in 6 years to a guy there and when the washer in the mat went belly up he looked at me and said, “I think you’re jinxed”. Wow thanks guy. Truly though – I’ve thought about it many many many times over the years with all the crap that has happened. I spent quite a bit of time crying after we got home.

Dinner was a bust – I was going to make a sheet pan stir fry and didn’t have nearly enough stuff for the sauce SO I went to the store and bought hot dogs and potato salad. I texted my oldest daughter to make the two cans of pork and beans we had and doctor them up (she did a great job). I also bought Nutella, croissants, milk, fall flavored cream cheeses. You get the idea. After dinner I felt a little better but the mess in the kitchen and knowing how stacked up on laundry we are made me uneasy. I went to bed and prayed and offered it all up for all those in need. Especially those who suffered the wrath of Hurricane Helene and those in war torn areas of our world.

Day 2

Today, I got up, had breakfast, and did my quiet time – prayer and bible study. Then I had a shower and that made me feel much better right there. Then I had a news flash from the Almighty – have your husband take the two loads of towels to the laundromat and you can do some laundry in your broken washer but just soak it, drain it, and dry it. Well that worked! I got all my laundry done (I was out of clothes) and a few other things too that we were in need of. ALSO – I got busy on the dishes and got them all done. WOOT – GO ME! While it was a busy day it was one of those catch up days and it felt good to get everything done. I even made last night’s dinner today and it was easy and tasty. And yes I offered it all up again. God never fails to help me out when I do that and I’ve done it for years. I’m not jinxed at all – God knows a servant when he sees one. Even if I’m not thrilled at first or even at all. It comes together in the end.

Thank you God for all Your help and be with all those who are struggling.

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Quick Check In

September 17, 2024

Okay, kind of a stream of conciousness kind of thing today.

I got up early (4am) because I couldn’t sleep, but that has facilitated getting A LOT of things done this morning and it’s only 8 am. :D

So sick of my skincare right now. GASP! I know right? Didn’t think that would ever happen did you? Well it happens sometimes. About a month ago all the humidity drained out of the atmosphere leading to dry itchy skin. Most of the products I have are made for more humid summer months so I am having to build in new products to take the edge off. Oh and I’m almost out of foundation so I’ve got to find a new one. Frankly this is getting old (like me) and I’d just like to find products I love and use on a daily or rotational basis. THAT is the goal my friends.

I really really need to get a doctor’s appointment and I really really need to find one who’ll help me lose the weight. Too bad Richard Simmons can’t come back and haunt me for about 6 months. I really could use the help.

A big change in my life is coming and it might be sooner than people think. I feel like I’m in limbo waiting on the other person to do what they are supposed to do but that doesn’t look likely. This whole thing is starting to freak me out and I’m getting something akin to panic attacks lately. So much fun.

OK – time’s up. Just wanted you folks to know that I’m still here. I have seen your comments on my Deal A Meal poster post and will reply shortly. Thanks for being patient. Remember I’m 61 years OLD. :P

Have a great day and do some good in your world – family, friends, neighbors, a stranger in the check out lane. Everyone needs a friend or just someone who will say HI and share a smile.

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Reading Update Mid Year 2024

July 8, 2024

I’ve actually been reading quite a bit lately and that is a bit unusual for the last few years. I’ve bought a few new books and a few (ha – several?) used books from various stores so have quite an extensive to be read “list”. :D Should make a post about all that some time. For now let’s do a deeper dive into my reading for the first half of the year.

For spiritual reading, I had almost finished the Gospel of John when I had a bad day and instead read Ecclesiastes in two days. Then I went back and read the commentary I have on that book so it was all a fantastic read. Right now, I’m doing a Summer of Psalms read (not all of them just around 30) and that is nice reading too. It’s been a while since I’ve read anything in the Old Testament so it’s been good to get back in. For extra spiritual reading I bought Rachel Dodge’s devotional for “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I’d thought about it for a long time and should have just done it this spring because The Secret Garden really is a spring book but now’s a good time too. The devotional is lovely and the meditations and prayers are comforting and I really need that right now. The Secret Garden is just so uplifting and it is definitely not just a kids book. After I read this devotional, I might go ahead and get the “Anne of Green Gables” devotional she has and read that for the rest of the summer (as well as reading the actual book). There’s also one for “Little Women” so…might do that too.

And now, here are the books I’ve read so far this year with a grade:
1. Finding Betty Crocker – Susan Marks – A
2. Gracious Homemaking – Mrs. Sharon White – C
3. An Old Fashioned Budget – Mrs. Sharon White – B
4. A Woman Makes A Plan – Maye Musk – B
5. Lord Calm My Anxious Heart – Linda Dillow – B
6. Keeping House – Margaret Kim Peterson – A+
7. Thrift Store Saints – Jane Knuth – A+
8. Thrift Store Graces – Jane Knuth – A+
9. The Prayer List – Jane – Knuth – A+
10. Sister of the Bride – Beverly Cleary – A
11. Love Comes Softly – Janette Oke – B
12. Love’s Enduring Promise – Janette Oke – B
13. Love’s Long Journey – Janette Oke – B
14. Love’s Abiding Joy – Janette Oke – B
15. Love’s Unending Legacy – Janette Oke – B
16. Love’s Unfolding Dream (skimmed) – Janette Oke
17. Love Takes Wing (skimmed) – Janette Oke
18. Love Finds A Home (skimmed) – Janette Oke
19. Miracles Happen – Mary Kay Ash – B
20. The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett – A+
Phew – that’s the most I’ve read in quite a while. And all the books are filling a need for me as well so the timing couldn’t be better. Well, okay, so I only skimmed through the last 3 Janette Oke books, but I’ll go back and read them. I wanted to see how things turned out because I read some of the Love Comes Softly series many many years ago but I don’t think I read them all. Nice to revisit them and I even remembered some of the things that went on. FWIW – it’s Christian pioneer fiction so let that inform you should you decide to read the series. Some of them got a bit too preachy for me.

Anywho – that’s the lowdown on all of that. As of today, July 8, I’m reading the last week of Summer of Psalms, and I think I’ll read “Flourish” by Elizabeth Foss next. It’s a study of the book of Romans (my bad – I originally said it was a study of James) which is a fantastic book in the New Testament. So much to be gleaned there. And I think I’ll go ahead and get Rachel Dodge’s devotional for “Anne of Green Gables” and read those (book and devotional) as well. Good summertime reading. For any other reading we’ll see where I’m lead.

It’s library day this week but in a weird twist of fate, I haven’t taken out too many lately (except for the Love Comes Softly series) and mostly just hang out in their used bookstore. I tend to take a too many books out that I think I’d like to read and then never read them. Oh well. At least this year has been a banner year so far for reading and that’s the point anyway – to read something. Cheers!

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Looking Back – June 2024

July 3, 2024

Well, the year is half over already. The older you get the faster it all goes. Luckily spring is over too. What started out as beautiful weather turned into one of the worst severe weather seasons I’ve seen in a long time. Many people around here are now on edge with every storm we get. That said, after all the storms we dried up which kind of needed to happen but it was hot as well so lawns started to get burned. Last weekend we had a deluge and the day after the rain was just fantastic. I could almost hear the air conditioner breathing a sigh of relief as well. When the heat index is 115 it just can’t slog through it well.

I’ve been reading a lot lately and blitzed through several books last month (post coming on that). I also started watching “thirtysomething” again because a cast member died – Erich Anderson – and it just hit hard. It’s a pleasure to watch again and having the companion book now makes it even better.

Music wise I’m still finding gems (like Van Halen’s debut album from 1981) and I really should do a post about my collection one of these days. So much good stuff yet still missing items like a Billy Idol hits album. No one ever coughs up the good stuff at vintage/thrift stores.

And you know I’m gonna talk skincare. I had been using Beautycounter until they shut down in April. Said they were coming back in May and that got pushed back even more so I’m going back to my basics. I had an interesting thought on how to find what I need – maybe I should pick products to match the effect I want. Kind of like picking cough syrups to go with your symptoms. For example, I got a sample of Dior’s Mousse On/Off Cleanser and it is fantastic! Cleans all the makeup off and rinses very clean with no residue. And that matches what I want in a nighttime cleanser. Something to think about.

For makeup I’m still using the same ole same ole but I went on a primer sample binge and that is one product that I actually need in my lineup. I found a couple that are good so that makes 3 that I like. Probably should just get ’em all and put them in rotation.

And that was June 2024. I hope this month is a little better but it’s also going to get a little more tense as well and so I’m praying it all goes well.

Here’s to July and the beauty that is summer because yes every season has it’s own beauty if you just look around to see it.

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Doing ALL the things

June 16, 2024

Weeelll – almost. It has been a good last few days though. It helped that a couple of weeks ago my oldest son, his wife, and their 11 month old boy visited us. My first time to hold and play with my grandson and 11 months is a good time for all that. I held him while he fussed because he wanted his daddy who was in the kitchen. I held him while he slept and I cried a little during that one because it was all too familiar and painful that those days are long gone for me. I even got to read to him a little bit and that was my main gig – I’m the reading grandma :D. What has that got to do with doing all the things? We had to get the living room and dining room baby clean and baby proofed. It had been a while since we cleaned that well in those rooms so it was definitely a good thing. I got my four young adults to help and we cleared it in no time. Now I can easily keep up on it all again with my routines. So far both rooms are looking good still and it is so nice to see them that way.

This last week through today I’ve got caught up on financial paperwork, back in the laundry schedule saddle again, and keeping the dishes fairly caught up (which is easier if you eat out and don’t have to cook like we did yesterday). I even made a menu plan for this week – GO ME! I also started attacking the bulging file cabinet today and realized I only had to pull two years of papers out instead of the four I expected so not that behind at all. I’m saving the more difficult papers/files for later this week when I know more clearly how I want to deal with them. Not so scary after all.

So I’m feeling pretty damn good about all my accomplishments this month and rightly so. I’m even going back and watching some older videos from Diane in Denmark to help me stay focused and on track. I may not have any friends IRL but online I can get help when I need it. :)

Cheers to the new week ahead and keeping in mind there will be stumbling blocks but I just have to forge ahead anyway.

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Makeup Update

April 25, 2024

Well since I talked about skincare I’ll talk about my makeup basics. I have products in most categories but very few products in each category. I pared down my products many years ago to simplify and keep me from buying a bunch of products I probably don’t need and won’t use. While I have gone off the rails in that regard from time to time, I always keep my stash minimal and cull it when I know a product isn’t going to work or something has been around and gone unused. On the other hand I rarely repurchase items because I just don’t use that much makeup anymore and I use so little that it lasts a long time.

Primer – I don’t usually use one. That said, the ONE primer I do like is the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer. It has titanium dioxide for sun protection and does a good job of keeping my face makeup looking good for the majority of the day. I’ve purchased three minis of this and some day I’ll probably be buying the big one.

Foundation– Because I just feel better with my skin tone evened out due to the redness. Lately though I’ve been trying to find one I can live with long term because the one I really like I can’t find in the color I need. So, still working on finding one or maybe two good formulations that will work until I stop wearing makeup. (Note – as of three days ago I tossed my last bottle of foundation because it wasn’t working. Currently going makeup free until I have time to get to Ulta.)

Blush – I don’t always wear blush but if I do I use cream blushers these days. They are easy to use, have good staying power, and work well with my dry skin. I tend to get colors in the pinky nude or very light bronze shades to offset the rosacea. And I don’t mind bouncing around in this category because it’s fun to play around with products.

Eyeshadow – I have been using cream shadows for the last year and really enjoy them – very light colors (I don’t need much at my age) and they just add a little enhancement to my eyes. I also have used Urban Decay’s Anti Aging (I hate that term!) Primer Potion for shadow for a long time as well but it also does make the other shadow products last longer and get better color payoff.

Mascara – When I want to. Lately I have been kind of not wearing it a lot because I just don’t know if it makes that much of a difference. That and it’s so hard to find brown shades. It may be the first beauty product I chuck for good.

Eyebrow – I have a few products from color to styling gel to keep my unruly brows in check. On minimal makeup days it’s usually foundation, lip balm, and some eyebrow something depending on how I feel about my brows that day. Really, it’s all I need.

Lips – I usually start with clear lip balm and top it with a color product if wearing one. I really prefer glosses to lipsticks as they are shearer and are more moisturizing. Tinted lip balms are good too but I also wear those over my base balm.

That’s it. As I’ve stated before I put on as much or as little as I want on any given day. With a minimal lineup it’s easier to find what I want and it doesn’t take much time in the morning either. And the older I get the simpler I want things. I’ve never gotten into lip or eye liners (except for that black eyeliner phase in the early 80’s) or concealer. I used to use powder religiously when I was younger, but with dryer, older skin I don’t need it anymore.

Stay tuned because I’ll probably start dropping names of products and colors at some point. But even then I don’t always stay with one thing forever. I’d kind of like to though just to simplify it all.

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My Skincare Formula

April 20, 2024

(PS – this is slightly edited from when I first posted.)

Again – emphasis on MY – so if you care to adjust what you do just remember your mileage will probably vary so use what works for you even if you have to go through a few products to find what works. If you need more products that’s okay too. Everyone’s skin is different and mine is quite finicky. For reference I am 61 with dry/dehydrated and sensitive/reactive skin.

I also will add that I have a little notebook to keep track of what I’m using and note reactions from products, how well they work, and how I like them. It helps me to see what I’ve used in the past and keep what works and toss what doesn’t and why they didn’t work. And sometimes I take pictures of current routines in case I haven’t written anything down (supposed to be for Instagram – heh). and it helps to see exactly what I’ve used at a certain point in time in case I want to repurchase something that has worked and can’t remember what it was.

I decided last summer to just go back to basics with these five products after jumping in with too many new products and messing my skin up. It’s really the formula I’ve used for a long time and for a good reason – it works. It also keeps my routine easy with only a few products so it’s easier to stay consistent. I still have the idea of a skincare wardrobe with different products to choose from within my formula categories depending on weather and skin needs. It’s something to work towards.

One thing to add – I only use fragrance free products since I have very sensitive skin and I’m not big on oils because even though I have dry skin, oils still do tend to clog. And HA kept to a minimum if at all – it just doesn’t work for me.

Morning Routine
- Cleanser – A good basic foamy cleanser. Gels tend to be dryer so I prefer cushier cleansers and they clean better than super gentle formulas which really don’t work for me. Sometimes I use a good micellar product if I’m feeling lazy or time is of the essence.
- Toner – Right now I have three in rotation – one gentle (no alcohol, fragrance free) for a basic prep step. I have another that is an essence/toner but more moisturizer when I feel I need that. The other is an exfoliating type when I feel I need to clear the deck so to speak. A lot of people say toner isn’t necessary but I love this step and my skin just does better with it.
- Moisturizer – A good all purpose moisturizer to keep skin hydrated all day. It can vary during colder weather or more humid weather, but generally something basic.
- Sunscreen – I use mineral sunscreens only with an SPF of 30 max usually. And I only use a pea size amount. Yes that is sufficient for my skin to keep it protected. Last summer I was using way too much and it dried the crap out of my skin because apparently zinc oxide can be drying. So, this is all I need for ME. There are two sunscreens I’ve used with higher SPF but they are lighter and thinner in formulation without sacrificing the protection.
Evening Routine
- Cleanser – A good cleanser that takes all the makeup off in one swoop and rinses clean. I’ve tried double cleansing and it does more harm than good to my skin. I’ve tried cleansing balms and oils and don’t generally like the feel of them, and balms have to be wiped off which my skin just doesn’t take to that well. I can also use my micellar cleanser and moisturizer after if I’m too damn tired for a full routine. If I’m not wearing makeup my morning cleanser can do the job.
- Toner – Same as in the morning.
- Moisturizer – Same one I use in the morning. Again, like I said above, this can change from lighter moisture to a heavier cream depending on how my skin feels during weather transitions.
So as you can see it’s only four products – cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen and five if I use a different cleanser for makeup removal at night. This base formula does not change. I can also see if a new step or new product works or doesn’t since I use the same products on the daily. Currently though I’m using up some of my stash but staying within the formula. I need to find my holy grail products so that I use only those for the long term and can add other things in should I desire. So, still some kinks to work out but on the whole keeping it simple.

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Small Update – Mid April 2024

April 18, 2024

So yeah, it’s been awhile since I posted but…eh…no excuses. I just haven’t done it. No reason – just haven’t done it. Let’s change that right now with a short update on my life since March 2.

No major issues going on and things are going fairly well (knock on wood). My skincare routine got upended so I’m going to order two new things tonight and get back on track. At least I know the four products I need to use daily to have a base to work from.

I haven’t lost any weight, but I dusted off my Food Mover (Richard Simmons) and plan to start tracking again. Of course I need to not just plan but actually do it but planning is a step in the right direction. I’m even watching old videos of his for motivation and get me moving again.

The weather has been gorgeous – even almost summer like lately – but today we’re going back to fall for a few days and I have to say it’s a refreshing change. It reminds me of springs in London (England) when I lived there in my much younger days with my family.

My grandson is almost a year old and will be visiting me at the end of next month – now that is something I’m really looking forward to! Even though he’s not a baby anymore and not as easy to cuddle, I plan to read to him. I’m hoping he’ll be open to letting me do that.

I’m reading the Gospels for my spiritual reading and reading books on the third part of the Catholic Catechism – Life in Christ – to go with. Easter season is a good time for that. As far as regular reading – not much lately. Just reading bits and pieces here and there as I choose.

I’m watching the Waltons for the first time in a really long time. I’ve forgotten how good they are and it makes me feel a little closer to my mom – we would watch the show every week together. It was one thing we had in common.

I found two great cd’s (used) and have added them to my collection. One was rock classics and the other soft rock classics. Loving them both and so are my kiddos.

Well the oven timer went off so it’s time to eat but I just wanted to take a few minutes to say I’m still here and hopefully I’ll write a little every day. Maybe even just a paragraph on nothing in particular. At least it’s something. Peace to all.

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Happy New Year!

March 2, 2024

Oh wait a minute – it’s MARCH? Aready?? Oh, right, yeah I see it now. Apparently I’m late on this new year business but, no matter, I’ll just jump in here. I probably should catch you up on things at some point, but for now here’s the Cliff Notes version.

November 2023 – Crazy busy with a side of depression.

December 2023 – Crazy busy with a touch of colds going around the fam two weeks before Christmas.

January 2024 – Started off all right but ended with a nasty round of cold, ice, snow, and frozen pipes.

February 2024 – Winter took a back seat, temperatures soared and I felt like Wall-E after powering up in the sun.

I’ll be back tomorrow trying to get back into writing. I’ve got posts written and ready to be released into the wild so I’m going to do that. In the meantime I have a day of shopping planned with my youngest daughter. Cheerio!

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Resolutions – Bah Humbug

December 29, 2023

It’s the end of the year and we all know what that means for stores – selling the “new you”. Get organized, lose weight, get your house in order, and on and on. The lose weight and get organized seem to be the top ones and it’s all in the name of the almighty dollar and not on actually helping anyone. Just buy our stuff and your problems will be over. As if.

I used to make resolutions and make promises to myself to do this, that, and the other. Then something would come along and shake it up and I’d give up. I still haven’t found the resolve to actually make changes because I feel it’s useless if I’m just going to start something and have upheaval that sends it all crashing down. Yeah – that’s me being honest right there.

However, I also know that if I don’t do anything that NOTHING will happen. That’s also the truth of the matter and I shouldn’t complain about gaining weight when I haven’t done a damn thing to do anything about it. Things like making small changes can work but sometimes we (as in me) gets stuck on those small baby steps and they never get any bigger.

One thing did work once and that was getting out of debt – I debt snowballed four credit cards and within 18 months was out. I had absolute resolve because I NEVER wanted to go through any of that crap again. I was tired of living in scarcity and uncertainty and my family was too so I did the really hard thing and got out of debt. Did I ever want to give up? Yes! I was six months away from the last bill being paid off and I almost caved but I knew if I did I’d never get where I wanted to be. THIS is the resolve I need to find to lose weight, to get organized, and so on. I just need to find where the stumbling block is and remove it and find that strength I had in 2011 to get going.

So while that new healthy eating planner I bought will help me see where I need to make changes to my diet and eating habits (although I actually do know what ones I need to make), I have to tell myself I am worth making those changes and that it will make a difference in the long run. And then I have to actually make those changes and (here’s the clincher) stick with them.

So, Happy New Year to all and to ALL a (finally) good year. Please God.

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